? Insider: Longtime Loudonville coach Bill Herman, who led the Redbirds to multiple state tournaments and the 2002 state title, will take over for Wendy Packard after serving as her assistant in recent years. The Arrows were 14-13 last year.

Crestline Bulldogs

? Insider: Flinders returns to her alma mater after coaching at Ontario. She replaces longtime Crestline coach Ron Shumate. The Bulldogs have nine returnees, but they'll need to improve their offense and utilize their speed this season to improve.

? Insider: The Falcons remain a young squad after going 15-10 overall and finishing as league runners-up.. They have speed and should be better in the batter's box, but inexperience at pitcher is a concern.

? Insider: The Redbirds bring back seven from last year's 22-9 squad that won a district championship. New coach Serena Fenton takes over, but the expectations remain the same which is to win the league and peak at tournament time.

? Insider: The Rams went 25-5 to win the OCC and a Division II regional runner-up trophy a year ago. They return a strong infield and lots of speed, but inexperienced pitching and replacing the heart of the order that produced 88 RBIs is a concern.

? Insider: The Flames will play in the MBC for the first time this season with a roster filled with nine letter winners. The expectations are higher this year because of all the experience they have back.

? Insider: Musille takes over for Jackie Flinders, who left for her alma mater at Crestline. Also gone is promising shortstop Summer Constable who is now playing as a sophomore at state-power Keystone. The Warriors will move up to Division II and will play in the NOL for the first time, but they bring back their top two pitchers and four of the five best hitters.

? Insider: The Big Red went 16-8 and 11-3 in the Firelands for a conference runner-up finish. The goal is to get better and win championships starting with the FC. Plymouth has pitching, a tough infield defense, and a good top of the order, but depth and youth are concerns.

? Insider: The Royals welcome a new coach in Weisenauer who was an assistant the last two years. They will miss three players because of ACL injuries, but bring back an experienced group that has speed. They need to find consistency and be mentally tough.